Tom Brady to face Houston Texans' swat team

Thursday

Dec 6, 2012 at 6:00 AM

By Rich Garven TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The Houston Texans have allowed a league-low two rushing touchdowns, a testament to the stoutness of their defensive linemen. But the road blockers also have proven to be disruptive in the passing game in an unusual way.

Five defensive linemen have combined to bat down 25 passes, led by J.J. Watt’s unheard-of 15. Antonio Smith and Earl Mitchell have three passes defensed apiece and Jared Crick and Shaun Cody two apiece.

In an attempt to replicate the challenge they’ll face Monday night when the Texans visit Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady was expecting to see the defensive linemen on the scout team at practice this week holding up some sort of elongated implement.

“I know Coach Belichick likes to bring guys with racquetball paddles and stick those up in the air,” Brady said. “I’m sure there will be a whole bunch of those there this week, which doesn’t always make me very happy. But that’s probably a good way to prepare for it.”

“Maybe brooms — get it a little longer,” Belichick deadpanned.

So what’s it like trying to get a ball past Watt, who stands 6-foot-5 and whose wingspan is just shy of 7 feet?

“It’s like throwing over this wall,” Brady said, gesturing at the more than 9-foot high partition behind him. “It’s hard. You’ve just got to try to find an area. We’ve played other big D-lines before, tall guys that are rangy and really instinctive.

“The Giants did a great job of that last year (in Super Bowl XLVI). This is another team that really challenges you to do that.”

The Patriots, by the way, have gotten eight passes defensed from their linemen. Vince Wilfork has five, Chandler Jones two, and Rob Ninkovich one.

The Patriots lead the league in third-down offense, having converted 52.6 percent of their opportunities. No other team is close to that success rate, the Atlanta Falcons checking in next at 45.6.

However, the Texans are tops when it comes to getting off the field on third down. They’ve allowed the opposition to convert only 28.4 percent of the time, making them the only team in the league under 30 percent.

“They’ve created a lot of long-yardage situations. They’ve been ahead, and so that’s helped their pass rush,” Belichick said. “They’re a good third-down defense, one of the best in the last nine, 10 years statistically. To be under 30 percent is pretty impressive.

“They do everything well — they rush, they cover, they blitz, they mix it up. You have to really work to convert on third down against them.”

Conversely, the Texans are 13th in third-down offense (39.5 percent) and the Patriots are an uncharacteristic 29th in third-down defense (43 percent).

Brady and Gisele Bundchen are expecting their second child reportedly any day now. From the sounds of it, the impending birth is not interfering with the GQ/QB’s preparations for Monday night’s looming showdown.

“I don’t have to do too much work at home,” Brady said, “so I just kind of focus on my job here and what I need to do and my preparation and making sure I’m doing everything I need to do to be prepared for Monday night.”

The Patriots received a roster exemption for running back Brandon Bolden, who took part in yesterday’s walkthrough after having missed the past four games for violating league policy on performance-enhancing substances. Belichick was unsure at this time what direction he’d take with the rookie, who doesn’t have to be activated until Tuesday. … For what it’s worth, Jones and offensive linemen Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly were out there for the walkthrough. They sat out against the Dolphins due to injury. … The Patriots have won 20 consecutive games in the second half of the season, a streak that began in 2010.